A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Galler family of Austria.
Reg. 8140 · Austrian, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De sa. à la bande d'or. Cq. cour. C.: un vol à l'antique, aux armes de l'écu.”
Austriac. 1772
Where the Galler Arms Were Recorded
Tyrol
Map of Austria showing where the Galler arms are recorded
The Galler arms were recorded in Austria, c. 1772.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Tyrol.
Tyrol was mountain country in western Austria, where the valleys were held by families who had been there a very long time. Old tenure counted for more than money, and old families carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
Region
Tyrol
First recorded
1772
Granting Authority for the Galler Arms
Imperial and Royal chancery
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Austria in this period.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Sovereign of the period
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1765–1790
Reigning in Austria when the Galler arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Austria
Austrian coats of arms were often linked directly to noble titles granted by the Emperor. These symbols belonged to the entire family line rather than just one individual. When a family grew, new branches kept the original design without needing to change it. This system allowed all members of a noble house to share the same identity across many generations.
Granting authority
The Imperial and Royal chancery managed all heraldic matters and controlled the official granting of arms throughout the Austrian lands.
How they got arms
Families typically received their arms through a formal imperial decree that often accompanied the elevation of a person to noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Official records of these grants were kept in the Imperial Register of Nobility which began its formal documentation process in 1453.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Austria.
Origin & History of the Galler Family in Austria
The family name Galler has deep roots in the Alpine region of Tyrol, where ancestors were documented living as early as 1772. The name is likely topographic in origin, meaning it was often given to people who lived near a specific type of terrain or a distinct landmark. In the German language, the root word relates to a "Galle," which historically referred to a ravine, a steep gully, or a narrow valley passage. Families bearing this name were typically settled in rural or mountainous areas where they worked as farmers or tradespeople. Because the geography of Tyrol is defined by its dramatic peaks and deep mountain passes, the name served as a practical way to identify a family by their specific home location within the rugged landscape. Over many generations, the Galler family became part of the local social fabric, contributing to the agricultural and community life that defined this historic region of the Austrian Alps.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gallus
Latin term meaning a rooster or a person from Gaul.
This name
GallerAn occupational surname for someone who worked as a servant or attendant.
also spelled
Galler
Gaeller
Schwarzenegg
Galler-Schwarzenegg
Geler de Shvartseneg
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Bahlow, Hans. Deutsches Namenlexikon: Familien- und Vornamen nach Ursprung und Sinn erklärt. 1967
Kranzmayer, Eberhard. Ortsnamenbuch von Kärnten. 1956
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
